German MPs and their roles

Abstract

Parliamentary role structures do not come into being as a consequence of the MPs’ behavioural preferences alone. In the German case, five constructive features constitute the casting mould within which the roles of MPs are formed: ‘team formation effects’ of the parliamentary system of government; professionalisation and division of labour within a ‘work parliament'; the fact that German MPs are, and hence behave as, party leaders; and role‐shaping effects both of interest groups and of constituency work. Based on a survey conducted in 1994 among all 2,800 German MPs, and on a return rate of about a third, the effects thereof are described. Subsequently, the ‘role partners’ or ‘counter roles’ of German parliamentarians are presented, and data on role orientations, role behaviour, role conflicts and parliamentary socialisation are discussed. Role orientations and role behaviour of German representatives are clearly correlated, and both match quite well the functional logic of representative democracy. On balance it may be stated that the average German MP is doing a good job.